Rangers roll, Mariners’ Bradley ejected
March 18, 2010
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP)—Nelson Cruz(notes) hit two home runs, and Josh Hamilton(notes) and ChrisDavis(notes) also connected as the Texas Rangers scored eight times in the first sixinnings and cruised to an 8-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesdaynight.
The big news came earlier in the day when Texas manager Ron Washingtonacknowledged that he tested positive for cocaine last season.
“I made a huge mistake and it almost caused me to lose everything I haveworked for all of my life,” Washington said at a news conference. “I am nothere to make excuses. There are none.”
Washington said he used cocaine only once and called it “stupid” and“shameful.”
The failed test first was reported by SI.com.
Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee(notes) was also suspended for the first fiveregular-season games for throwing a pitch over the head of Arizona’s ChrisSnyder(notes) on Monday.
The Mariners had only five hits and lost outfielder Milton Bradley(notes) when hewas ejected after disputing a called third strike in the third inning. Aftertaking a called strike from Texas’ Scott Feldman(notes) for the second out, Bradleyplaced the bat down and stayed in the box until he was tossed by plate umpireDan Bellino.
Feldman, who came in with an 8.31 ERA this spring, walked the first twohitters on eight pitches, but quickly found a groove—allowing three hits andstriking out four over four innings.
“Luckily, I got a little better feel after those first two hitters,” saidFeldman, one of two candidates for the opening day start. “It’s not the way youwant to start a game, but it wound up good. I don’t want to come out here andpitch bad. It feels good to get out of some trouble.”
Seattle scored its only run in the third inning when Jack Wilson(notes) doubledinto the left-field corner off Feldman and scored on a single by Ichiro Suzuki(notes).
It was the first night game for both teams, but the big news for eachhappened earlier in the day. Seattle starter Ian Snell(notes) struck out five over hisfour innings, but allowed six hits, including home runs to Cruz and Hamilton—a430-foot-plus shot to the top of the grass seating in right-center field.
“Did that one come down yet?” Snell asked with smile. “I admired that onea little bit myself. (Hamilton) has a beautiful swing.”
NOTES: Hamilton is hitting .429 for the spring, but Cruz is even better at.448. … Mariners catcher Rob Johnson(notes), trying to come back from double hipsurgery, threw out Rangers leadoff man Julio Borbon(notes) at second base in the firstinning. “He looks really good back there and he called a great game. Coming offall he’s gone through, he looks ready to go.” … Seattle closer David Aardsma(notes)had a rough outing, allowing four earned runs in one inning a double to Borbonand Cruz’s second home run. His spring ERA is 15.43 … Brandon League(notes) followedAardsma to the mound and was greeted by Davis’ home run.